From South Africa we sail back home. We traverse different climate systems before – finally – concluding our circumnavigation in England. The bend in this route has everything to do with the weather systems, sea currents and wind and has been used by sailing ships for centuries. The first part of our journey home takes us to Saint Helena Island. We are now in the so-called Horse latitudes, an area with little and variable wind. Fortunately, we have an engine to help us in the event of no wind and soon we hope to pick up the southeast trade winds. This steady wind also promises a prosperous journey to Saint Helena.

In addition to its unique plant and animal life, the island is also known for its special history. The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands and the British disputed each other’s ownership of the island. From 1673 on, the island remained British. The French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to this exceptionally remote place in 1815. He also died here; some say from arsenic poisoning.

Saint Helena was only accessible by ship until 2015 due to the lack of an airport and although there are now weekly flights to and from South Africa, it is still one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world. Stewart McPherson has already visited the British Overseas Territories, which also includes Saint Helena, several times. We recommend that you stay on the island for a few days after arrival and join him on the tour of the island he will organize.

Before and after your voyage leg
We strongly recommend you book a few days accommodation in the port of your embarkation (prior to your joining Oosterschelde), and a few days in the port you disembark (after your place on the voyage ends). This will allow you to recover before and after your adventure and will give you the opportunity to explore locations at your start and end points.

Land based tour organized by Redfern Adventures
Redfern Adventures has put together really focused itineraries that offer you the chance to explore the incredible Falkland Islands and the beautiful island of Saint Helena after you disembark or before you embark (depending upon which voyage leg you are joining). These itineraries are specifically designed to take in the best wildlife and historic tourist sites that these locations offer.  The Falkland Islands and Saint Helena Add On Trips are organized separately from the DARWIN200 Global Voyage through the travel operator Redfern Adventures.

To reserve a place, please email sales@redfernadventures.com. 

More than an Adventure!
By taking part in the Global Voyage, you support the DARWIN200 project. As part of your adventure, you will receive the following exclusive benefits:

1. A full color, 300-page, hardback book as a momento of your adventure on board.
2. A short video which will be filmed during each voyage leg.
3. An invitation to the Start of Voyage Party in Plymouth on 13/08/2023.
4. An invitation to the End of Voyage Party in Falmouth on 20/07/2025.
5. An invitation to the DARWIN200 Concluding Award Ceremony in London in summer, 2025. Meet environmental celebrities, the young conservationists (‘DARWIN LEADERS’) and take part in a prize-giving ceremony.
6. Acknowledgement and thanks by name on all DARWIN200 output films throughout the global voyage (although anonymity will be respected, if requested).
7. Free DARWIN200 Global Voyage branded T-shirt!

DARWIN200
Become part of DARWIN200, a planetary conservation initiative that will empower the next generation’s elite environmental leaders and engage millions of students worldwide in conservation projects. By taking part in the Global Voyage, you will be helping to make the DARWIN200 project a reality. For more information visit: www.darwin200.com.

Q & A sessions
Interested in joining? Join our live information session about the 2023-25 Global Voyage. Each Information Session is beamed via Zoom and includes an overview of the global voyage, information about each of the 32 voyage legs, a live walk around Oosterschelde (when her schedule allows) and a Questions and Answers exchange.

Join the next info session via www.darwin200.com/info.

Level 2

Level 2-voyages are suitable for anyone in good health and a reasonable level of fitness, without mobility issues. On these voyages, you can expect days with strong winds or high waves, but most of the time the conditions will be good. A harbor is not always nearby and (medical) help from shore is therefore not always available.

The shipping company would like the OOSTERSCHELDE to be accessible to the widest possible audience, but you must realize that you are making a voyage aboard a seagoing tall ship. This requires more of your physical ability than a daily walk. Some voyages are more challenging than others. With the different levels, we give an indication of how heavy the voyage can be. If you are unsure whether a voyage is suitable for you, it is important to contact shipping company OOSTERSCHELDE for advice.